Referees

New Kit is HERE!

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Happy Holidays!!!

Just in time for Christmas, we are very excited to unveil the new referee kit. Please go to this link which is our very own store:

https://shop.fifteenbrand.com/index.php/team-stores/organizations/trra.html

Very important to note that these bundles are only available for a few weeks then the items will be available individually. You definitely want to bundle because of the huge discount and you want to order now to have it in time for the spring season (Jan – May).

Our recent poll showed that 100% of you wanted a new kit and One of our goals this year was to get all active referees into the same kit. This is very important and here’s why. The quality of rugby has gone up exponentially in the last couple of years. USA Rugby has taken notice and we are going to see a lot of attention given to Texas. USA Men’s have two matches coming up and we have our local teams that will be competing for national championships. These are great opportunities where TRRA will be involved and a chance to show the country and even the world where the best referees are in the U.S.

We are asking all active referees to purchase at least the basic kit. Every tournament/match I have been to in Texas the last few years, we rarely had a team of 3 in the same kit. We need to have that ability, every time. Since the previous kits are no longer available, we have come up with this awesome kit with several options.

If you have any questions, please email Scott Green: sgreen@texasrugbyunion.com

You will need to take a close look at the sizing. For example, I normally wear a Large in the old kit or a Canterbury, but in this kit, it will be an XL. Shorts seem to be normal. I wear a Large (36 in waist) and they fit very nice.

Look forward to kicking off the spring season with everyone in the new kit.

Take care and thank you for all you do on and off the pitch.

2015 TRRA Chairman and Vice Chairman Results

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Texas Rugby Referee AssociationCongratulations to the new TRRA Chairman Butch Neuenschwander and Vice Chairman Scott Green.

Butch has been a referee for five years, is a C1 referee, CMO Certified and is working towards becoming a World Rugby Educator. He takes on the role of Chairman as Traci Young has stepped down to focus on other areas. Traci will continue to give back to the game as a referee and as a referee coach but is looking forward to taking a break from administration. We can’t thank Traci enough for her tireless work, make sure to giveher your thanks as you see her around the pitch.

Scott has been a referee in Texas for five plus years and brings a wealth of experience to the table. He is USA Rugby National Panel referee, CMO certified and is regularly called upon to handle the toughest matches in Texas. He is truly an artist of the game and believes strongly in letting the players play within the laws of the game.

Feel free to reach out to Butch and Scott:

Butch – bneuenschwander@texasrugbyunion.com

Scott – sgreen@texasrugbyunion.com

Complete the Referee L1 Course & we’ll refund you the cost!

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10419457_648274051928755_5105821905885691897_nRefereeing is a fun, exciting, non-contact way to be involved with Rugby. There are many reasons to take up officiating, you get to see all the action from the best position on the field, it’s a great way to keep fit, enhance your knowledge of the laws, and meet new and interesting people.

The one-day Level 1 Referee course will teach you the fundamentals of the referee’s involvement in the game. The Course comprises of ten units of online learning and some face-to-face learning. Once you have completed the online and face-to-face sessions, you will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to be a fair and effective referee.

What about my $60 bucks?

Very simple! The next course will be held in conjunction with the TRU Summ it in Dallas, TX. Register, complete the certification course and then work with the Texas Rugby Referee Association to officiate four matches (we’ll provide a coaching and additional training) and then the TRU will refund you the course cost ($60).  On top of that you will also receive a match reimbursement per match of at least $50, that’s $200 for a couple of weekends!

Touch Judge / Assistant Referee Certifications [Team Requirement]

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Scott Green & Joey Swatzell discuss a call | Texas Rugby Referee Association
Scott Green & AR Joey Swatzell discuss a call | Texas Rugby Referee Association
Photo by Norma Salinas Photography

For the upcoming 2015-2016 competitive season, all teams will be required to provide TWO certified Touch Judge or Assistant Referees for all home league matches. TRU is offering FREE TJ/AR courses at the TRU Summit in Allen, TX on Aug 29-30, 2015.

The TRU Board highly encourages all teams to send representatives to the Summit in order to be certified. If teams cannot attend the TRU Summit, teams must provide proof of online USA Rugby TJ or AR Course Certification (cost $30) before September 1, 2015. Proof of certification can be sent to admin@texasrugbyunion.com.

Register for the FREE TJ/AR Courses at the TRU Summit.

Referee Courses, L1, L2, CMO, TJ & AR Accepting Registrations | TRU SUMMIT

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Scott Green & Joey Swatzell discuss a call | Texas Rugby Referee Association
Scott Green & Joey Swatzell discuss a call
Photo by Norma Salinas Photography

We’ve opened the referee course registrations for the L1, L2 and Coaching of Match Officials for the Summit coming up on Aug 29-30, 2015. A referee has a unique perspective as they have the best seat in the house for all the action. Become an artist of the game and help the players compete within the laws and get paid!

Sign up today as each course is capped at 10 participants:

L1 Referee Course – Sunday, August 30 – $60

The purpose of this introductory course is to enable officials to acquire basic skills to officiate safe, enjoyable competition. Course certification is required for anyone who wishes to referee matches.

Register

L2 Referee Course – August 29-30 – $120

The purpose of this course is to enable officials to develop further the skills acquired in the introductory course so as to officiate safe, enjoyable competition. This course requires 2 days.

Register

Coaching of Match Officials – Sunday, August 30 – $60

The purpose of this course is to introduce the concept and role of referee coaching to enable assistance and guidance to develop the referee.

Register

TRU Touch Judge and Assistant Referee – August 30 – FREE

TRU Touch Judge Course

Provides instruction on the primary tasks of the touch judge in adjudicating touch, touch-in-goal, kicks at goal, and the roles of the touch judge in seven-a-side rugby.

TRU Assistant Referee

Provides instruction on the secondary and tertiary responsibilities and tasks of the touch judge, including the adjudication of foul play.

Register: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/tru-touch-judge-assistant-referee-signup/

What about the Coaching Courses?

Register for the L200 and L300 Coaching Course here: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/

What’s the TRU Summit?

Get more information about the Summit here: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/

2015 TRRA Chair and Vice Chair Nominees

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Texas Rugby Referee AssociationThe nomination window has closed for TRRA Chairman and Vice Chairman.  The nominations received were: Butch Neuenschwander (Chairman) and Scott Green (Vice Chair).  Each nominee was asked to submit a rugby resume, and personal statement:

Butch Neuenschwander
Scott Green

Additional nominations may be submitted on the day of the AGM, however, they will not be listed on the website for member review. Voting will occur at the TRRA AGM, July 19, 2015; we highly encourage all referees to attend. RSVP by responding to the Who’s the Ref invitation or emailing admin@texasrugbyunion.com by Friday, July 10, 2015. Lunch will be provided to those who rsvp.

If a referee cannot attend, they may submit their vote by absentee (email) by Friday, July 17, 2015 at 5pm. Note that absentee votes must be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com. Or you may give your proxy to another TRRA Member who will be attending the meeting, notice of this proxy must also be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com by the same deadline as above. Per the bylaws, each TRRA Member can only hold one proxy.

Please contact the current TRRA Chairman or any member of the R&L Committee if you have questions or concerns about this process.

TRU Summit – Aug 29-30, 2015 @ Griffins Den

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Texas Rugby Union Summit

Mark your calendars! The Texas Rugby Union is holding it’s first ever Regional Development Summit on August 29-30, 2015 in the Dallas area. The 2 day event will be held at The Den – Athletic Training and Performance Center and will be hosted by the Griffins Rugby Club.

This event is for rugby of all levels including Adults, Collegiate, High School and Youth, men, women, fans, coaches, referees, players and die-hards alike. This is the best opportunity to learn and share about coaching, refereeing and administration.

More details: https://www.texasrugbyunion.com/summit/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/492795557550325/

Hashtag: #TRUSummit

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TRRA Chairman and Vice Chairman Nomination Process

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Texas Rugby Referee AssociationThe TRRA R&L Committee is now accepting nominations for individuals interested in running for Chairman or Vice Chairman. Individuals may nominate themselves by submitting a rugby resume as well as a personal statement (maximum 500 words) explaining why they wish to run for either position. Individuals may also nominate others, the R&L will contact these individuals to determine if they accept the nomination and acquire the requested documents.

NOTE: Nominees must be TRRA CIPP’d in order to be accepted.

Please send nominations to the TRU Admin, admin@texasrugbyunion.com; Note that the nomination window closes July 1, 2015. Nominations will be posted on the TRU website no later than July 6, 2015 for all members to review.  Voting will occur at the TRRA AGM, July 19, 2015; we highly encourage all referees to attend.

If a referee cannot attend, they may submit their vote by absentee (email) by Friday, July 17, 2015 at 5pm. Note that absentee votes must be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com. Or you may give your proxy to another TRRA Member who will be attending the meeting, notice of this proxy must be sent digitally to admin@texasrugbyunion.com by Friday, July 17, 2015 at 5pm. Per the bylaws, each TRRA Member can only hold one proxy.

Please contact the current TRRA Chairman or any member of the R&L Committee if you have questions or concerns about this process.

Nomination  Process:

Now – Jul 1: Nominees are accepted (admin@texasrugbyunion.com)
Jul 7: Nominations posted to the TRU website for review
Jul 17: Absentee and proxies must be sent to admin@texasrugbyunion.com by 5pm.
Jul 19: Voting at AGM

TRRA AGM on Sunday, July 19

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Texas Rugby Referee AssociationThe TRRA will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, July 19 in Houston, TX. Meeting location is still being finalized; tentatively scheduled from 10am to 4pm.

What: TRRA AGM (Agenda & Minutes)
When: Sunday, July 19, 2015 from 10am to 4pm
Where: Crowne Plaza Houston – 8686 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77054 [MAP]

All TRRA members (in good standing) are invited to attend, but need to RSVP (see invite from Who’s the Ref) by July 10, 2015 to ensure adequate room size and lunch reservations. Non-TRRA members are welcome, please send your RSVP to the TRU Admin (admin@texasrugbyunion.com).

Agenda items will be posted to the web accordingly and new business items and/or discussion item requests can be sent to tschmidtke@texasrugbyunion.com for addition to the meeting agenda.

TRRA Promotions Spring 2015

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TRRA & TRU Members,

trra_logoOn behalf of the TRRA and the Referee Advancement & Training Organization (RATO), it is my pleasure to announce the first round of promotions for 2015.

TRRA would like to thank all the referees, mentors, coaches, and teams for their commitment to improving the game of rugby. Please join us in recognizing the hard work of the following referees who have been promoted:

C2 to C1

Butch Neuenschwander

Butch has recently moved swiftly through the referee ranks as he has rededicated himself physically and mentally. Butch brought on a personal trainer and nutritionist. It clearly paid off as he ran the highest beep test (13.1) of all the referees this year! He capped off a great season officiating the RRRC Men’s Club Rugby D3 Championship Match. Please join us in congratulating Butch.

Tim O’Gara

Tim completed the Level 200 Referee Certification with flying colors and clearly this course was a great stepping stone for him. Also, Tim was very persistent about requesting film from teams and providing that to his Mentor & RATO for development. As a result he whistled four Division 1 Men’s Club matches this spring with great proficiency. Please join us in congratulating Tim.

C3 to C2

Joey Swatzell
Donnie Hennop

RATO hosted a very successful Level 2 referee certification course in December 2014 and a Level 1 in April. The Level 1 was the largest the TRRA has ever hosted with 17 total attendees from Middle School, College, Club, and Retired ages. This course also presented a new format instead of the traditional classroom setting. Participants ran AR and shadow center refereed at a college tournament as part of the course. This hands on experience was reported as the best part of the course. We saw a wide spectrum of rugby enthusiasts that all want to give back to the game by picking up the whistle. Please welcome the newest additions to the TRRA team:

Newly Certified:

Karl Tolar
Chong Shin
Blair McClure
Robert McClure
Roderick Palmer
Reginald Joseph
Zachary Meyers
Chris Madonna
Brett Stremme
Isaac Hughen
Ryan Walsh
Shon Husband
Christopher Campbell
Kelly Hodge
Steven Rodriquez
Maurice Mullaly
Joel Cortright

The TRRA is excited to have so many new referees and current referees working towards the next level. We appreciate everyone’s dedication and hard work to themselves and to the success of the TRRA.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improving the Texas Rugby Union and the Texas Rugby Referee Association.

Traci Schmidtke Young
TRRA Chairman
RATO